Register method and apparatus



March 24, 1.942. K, c, MCKIERNAN 2,277,405

REGISTER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed sept. 9, 1958 2 sheets-sheet 1 Mrch24, 1942. K. c. Mcm-:RMN 2,277,405

u REGISTER METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Sept. 9, 1958 42 Sheets-Sheet 2 IlY "l mmm Patented-Mar. 24, 1942 UNITED' STATES PMENTi OFFICE- REGISTERMazoimmm'ms o o Kenneth G. Mcxiernan, Chicago, lll. Applicationseptember 9, 193s. sensi No. 229.091

e claims. (ci. 101e-171) My invention relates to printing registeringmethods and apparatus forv use therewith.

When matter is printed requiring the separate use of a number ofimpressions, as, for example, successive applications of differentcolors to the same substrate, it is essential that the printing surfaceson the successively employed printing media, such as plates, halftones,type material and the like, be placed in register in the base plates sothat the successive impressions will ap- .pear in proper place on thesubstrate. Various registering means have been suggested, but. ingeneral, all registering systems heretofore employed require theemployment of a so-called make-up press and `involvel lin essence, theadjustment of plates in the chase, the pulling of a proof, furtheradjustment of the plates, then vtaking another proof, and continuingthese alternate proceduresl until register is obtained. As a result,so-called make-up, where it involves registering of successive forms,takes a relatively long period of time and adds to the expense ofprinted mattei' |of the type requiring more than one impression.`

The principal object of my present invention o vris the provision of asimplied and improved method for registering printing forms.

Another object is the provision of improved but relatively simpleequipment to facilitate carrying out the method.

In general, my invention can be carried out when using any of the usualbase plates and any of the usual forms of printing plates common to theindustry. As an example, I may utilize the usual chase and so-calledpatent base, and the general features of the invention will be describedin connection therewith.

I first make a proof from the primary form, usually black, and providemeans for securing the proof sheet in a definite position on anotherform. which isto be used with the black, preferably rst oiling the sheetso as to render it substantially transparent. The plates which will beemployed in the second impression are placed in approximately thecorrect position on the base plate, and, by comparing the position ofthe black usually found to be substantially in register, but, if furtheradjustment is required, it is accomplished readily, if necessary, by theutilization of the same oiled sheet with which preliminary register wasarranged. During this entire time,

, it is not necessary to employ the proofing press except whereimpressions are to be made, and, even then, the use of the proofingpress is not,

strictly speaking, necessary because a competent workman may readily usea planer aid mallet to make the impressions sufficiently for registeringpurposes.

To hold the paper in proper position during the registering operation, Iprovide means affording a substantially type-high surface on the chase,

the paper extending over this type-high surface being perforatedaccurately and engaged by pins accurately positioned in the chase,fastening means being employed to hold the paper down proof to theposition of the plates on the base Y plate, I am enabled to adjust theirposition by means of the usual registering hooks until true registerseems to have been obtained. Now, taking another sheet of paper whichhas been given the first printing impression, I hold it, by the samefastening means referred to hereinabove, over the second form which hasalready been inked and pull a proof thereof. Thiseproof is verticalsection taken onthe line lll-I0 of Fig.

along the margin of the chase overlying the type-high surface. Thedetails of the method and the equipment employed therewith will bebrought out in the following'description taken with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of a complete form showingsimplified forms of plates supported thereon and adapted for printingwith black ink;

Fig. 2 illustrates the black proof before color has been appliedthereto;

Fig. 3 shows a form similar to Fig. 1 but with plates adapted to printin color and in register with the black shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 illustrates the position of the black proof of Fig. 2 as itisheld in position over the form of Fig. 3 during the registeringoperation', part of the black proof sheet being broken away tofacilitate illustrating the relative position of the color plates andthe black proof;

Fig. 5 shows the completed proof in two colors;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the paper fasteningmeans employed during the proofing operation;

Fig. 'l is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 1-1 ofFig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view showing features ofthe paper fastening means;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, also showing the papersecuring means; and

Fig. l0 is an enlarged, fragmentary, irregular,

9, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, I show, in Fig.

1. a chase Il carrying a base plate I2 to which unmounted plates I3, Iland I6 are secured by means of register hooks I1. The base plate I2illustrated is of the so-called patent base type and may be any of theusual patent base materials, such, for example, as Blatchford, Latham,Rouse, or Wessel patent base. The register hooks may be any usual typeof register hooks employable with the types of bases referred to.

In Fig. 3, I show a separate chase I8 with a base I9 carrying plates 2|,22 and 23 secured in proper position by the method to be described bymeans of the usual register hooks |1. The chases and I8 represent two orwhat may be a series of twol or several chases of substantiallyidentical size adapted to be secured on a press in the usual manner.

At one side of each chase I provide a pair of accurately positionedopenings 26 adapted to receive register pins 21 held in their extremeupward position by springs 28 (see Figs. '1 and 10). Generallycontiguous to the openings 26 are additional openings 29 whichconveniently may be identical in cross section with the openings 26.Cooperating with the register pins 21 I provide a paper stock levelingbar 3| with openings 32 of such size as to snugly receive the registerpins 21. The bar 3|V is so proportioned that its upper surface, when itrests on the chase, is type-high, thus, in effect, affordng.f when it isin position, a type-high surface on one margin of the chase. The stockleveling bar 3| also carries a dowel pin 33 for each opening 29 in thechase, and is also provided with openings 34 which may be in anysuitable position but which, for reasons which will appear hereafter,are conveniently and preferably placed adjacent the openings 32 throughwhich the registerpins extend. Cooperating with the stock leveling baris a paper holding bar 36 with openings 31 into which the register pins21 extend. and dowel pins 33 extending into openings 34. Forconvenience, the structure illustrated has been described in the exactmanner shown, but, as will be brought out following a description of themethod employed, modification in structure may be employed if desireddepending upon conditions encountered with particular equipment in usein a particular shop.

.In the showing of the invention, the subjectmatter being printed fromthe plates illustrated has been greatly simplified', it being apparentat once to any printer that oneI would not, except in a very unusualcase, expeet to utilize a large form for the purpose of producing therelatively simple printed matter illustrated. The simplicity of theform, therefore, is not to be taken as an indication of the character ofwork that can be registered by my method, since the method may beutilized for substantially any registering job encountered in the shop.

In the simplified printing job suggested by the drawings, the plates I3,|4 and I6 are presumed to be utilized for printing in black, and thefirst step of the method is to set these plates up in the chase II inthe position which' they will occupy during the actual printing process.A sheet 4|, which has previously been punched with holes 42 and 43occupying the identical positions of the holes 32 and 34 in the stockleveling bar 3| and into which register' pins 21 and dowel pins 33extend, is printed in the manner shown in Fig. 2 to form a black proof.Adequate means is provided to afford a transparent sheet 4| for registerpurposes, such as by printing directly on transparent or substantiallytransparent stock, but preferably in most cases by utilizing ordinaryopaque paper stock, and oiling it after printing the proof thereon tomake it suiiiciently transparent so that a plate underlying it may bereadily seen,

The plates 2|, 22 and 23 in the simplified arrangement shown areutilized for printing in red within the area of printed matter shown inwhite in the proof 4I, that is, within all of the letters in the WordfSale, within the figure 1, and the bar appearing underneath it, andwithin the first letter S in the word Shirts The object is to place theplates 2|, 22 and 23 in such a position on the form comprising the chaseI8 that, when the chase is placed on the printing press and successiveimpressions are made with the black and red plates, the applied colorwill be in the exact position desired without any undue overlapping.

The registering pins are first inserted in the chase, the stock levelingbar 3| 'is then placed in position, and the proof 4| placed over theform with the printed side down and with the pin detents 21 extendingthrough the holes 42 in the proof. The paper holding bar 36 is thenplaced in position on top of the stock leveling bar 3| with the dowelpins 38 extending through the holes 43 in the paper of the proof andinto the openings 34 in the stock leveling bar. By this means, the paperis held in al truly horizontal and fixed position throughout, asillustrated in Fig. 10, it being noted that there will be little or nobuckle such as might result in error because at the point where thepaper is held by the bars 3| and 36, it is of the same height as in theplace where it rests on the plates 2|, 22 an.; 23, that is, it is heldtype-high.

The make-up man or, as he is usually called in print shops, thestoneman, before or after the proof 4| has been placed in position onthe second form, places the plates 2|, 22 and 23 in approximately thepositions which they will occupy, and by then examining their positionthrough the transparent proof 4| he can determine the adjustments thatare to be made in that position to bring about register. At any suitabletime, depending somewhat upon the nature of the work. the register hooks|1 are placed in position around the plates in the form and, when hebelieves that he has the plates accurately positioned, he can tightenthe register hooks and mount the plates firmly on the base I9. Duringthe time that he is adjusting the position of the color plates, he canraise the proof 4| in any way that suits his convenience, being surethat when he again places it in position down on the color plates itwill occupy the identical position which it occupied" when he firststarted. By this means, particularly on relatively simple work, he canusually establish true register without the necessity of taking a proofat all. When he believes he has the plates in register, however, hetakes a second black prooi', inks the color plates, and then, holdingthe proof in position by the use of the register pins 21 and holes 42 inthe proof, he makes his color proof, either employing a proofing pressor, if he is suiiiciently skillful, a planer and mallet. If he shouldemploy a proofing press, he removes the paper holding bar 31 but leavesthe stock leveling bar 3| in position as this will not affect theproofing operation in any way. While the register pins 21 normallyextend above the type surface, during a printing operation the springs28 are compressed and the pins 21 are pushed down out of the way. If,after making the color proof, the make-up man finds that there is anylittle error in the position of the plates 2l, '22 or 23, this error isvery simply corrected, utilizing the transparent proof sheet again ifnecessary and employing the final proof as a guide.

A salient feature of my invention consists in holding the paper on whichthe proof is made in the identical position on the successive forms onwhich successive groups of plates, type matter, or the like areemployed. The chases are secured on the press in the usual manner and,since the plates are in the same relative positions on the variouschases, register, having been established by means other than theposition which the chase occupies on the press, will still be accuratewhen the chases are secured in their proper position on the press. Thisis a factor to be considered, because, in ordinary proofing operations,a proofing press-is employed and is tied up for a considerable time dueto the fact that the position of the chase on the proofing press is theknown position from which register is established, and even when Iemploy a proofing press I establish a register without the necessity ofgiving any consideration to the position which the chase occupies on thepress. This alone is a time saver, results in releasing a proofing pressat will as the chase may be removed and replaced without affecting theregister and, in the hands of skilled operators, renders a set of formsfor a color printing Jobin about half the time usually required. A

From the structure standpoint, the apparatus shown, more specificallythe depressible register pins, is also of importance. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate the time-saving value of this arrangement, but,for further understanding, illustrative operations will be considered.Normally, when forms are being made up and proofs taken on a proofingpress, it is essential that the forms be secured in accurate position onthe press p and that the guides on the proofing press also be When aIproof is taken emg properly adjusted. ploying my invention, however,the only requirement is that the form be introduced into the -press in asuitable manner to make an impression. The register pins determine theposition of the paper on each form of a series of forms, andduring theactual taking of the proof, the register pins are depressed to the upperlevel of the lstock leveling bar, the paper holding bar 36, of course,being removed during the time that the proof is being drawn. At the timethe register pins `are depressed, however, the paper is held in positionby the cylinder or whatever impression means is-provided on theparticular press employed.

It is perfectly clear that, when the chases are identical, and occupythe same position on a given press, when successive impressions are madeemploying the same press, no adjustment at all is necessary to secureproper register on the press if the register has been properly carriedout in accordance with my method. At times, however, it is preferable toemploy a number of presses, one for each form of a series of forms, and,in this case, the forms will not necessarily occupy identical positions.However, since the forms themselves are in true register, the onlyadjustment required is to set the guides properly, an operation which isvery easily carried out by the operators of the presses. In other words,having registered the forms accurately, it still may be necessary toadjust the presses in register, an operation, however, which is requiredno matter how register is obtained.

it possible to register K s My invention requires for best results theprovision of proofing paper especially provided with holes correspondingto the -fastening means provided on the chases for-use in carrying outthe registering method. Itis possible, however, to employ unperforatedproofing paper when utilizing the-specific form of apparatus shown,since lthe register pins and dowel pins in entering the Someconsiderable modification of my invention is permitted, such as in thenumber of register pins employed and the arrangement of the dowel pinsand the like. l I find that, by the use of the dowel pinsthe insertionof the register pins through the two bars provided is simplified. I may,Vif desired, utilize a permanent type-high surface on the chase andsecure the depressible register pins in such a manner as to preventtheir removal. The type-high surface `on the chase, however, in theusual form of presses now employed, would receive'link, and this inkwould make anv impression upon the paper stock if it should extend tothe margin of the chase. Furthermore, if the type-high surface on thechase did not make an vimpression on the paper stock being printed, inkwould graduallyaccumulate on this surface and this would requirefrequent cleaning. It is possible to so modify presses as to prevent theinking of a type-high surface on the chase margin, but this wouldrequire modifications which' are'not necessary when the removable stockleveling bar such as I illustrate is employed. In line with thisconsideration, it may be vnoted that, even lthough the type-high surfacemay makel an impression on theproof, such an impression is of noconsequence and will not affect that portion of the lproof which is usedin the registering process.

The substrate or stock on which the proof is made may, in its simplestform, as described, comprise ordinary opaque paper stock which may -beoiled after the first proof is taken torender it transparent. However,various transparent materials may be employed, includingpermanent orsemi-permanent sheets formed of such materials as those going intophotographic films, etc., and, by proper selection of such material andthe use of suitable cleaning iiuids, the ink may be removed, and theproofing sheet used several times.

The cost involved in using a new sheet for each What I claimas new anddesire to protect by v Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. Registering apparatus of the character 4described, comprising a chaseadapted to support type-high printing units, means providing a type-highsurface on the margin of said chase, a plurality of registering pins andspring means yieldingly supporting said registering pins to projectabove said surface, said pins adapted to be depressed to the level ofsaid surface when pressure is applied thereto.

2. Apparatus .as defined in claim 1, including a separate paper holdingbar having openings into which said registering pins are adapted toproject, whereby a proof taken from a ilrst form may be held ilrmly overa second form during adjustment for register of plates and the likeforming a part of said second form.

3.1'1`he registering method for the purpose' described, comprisingsupporting a plurality of register pins in accurate positions in a chasecomprising part of a form, forming opens corresponding to the positionsof said pins in a proof sheet, printing a proof of said ilrst form whileholding said proof sheet in position with said pins projecting throughsaid openings, support'- ing said pins in anidentical position on asecond form, securing said proof sheet on the second form with the saidregister pins 4projecting throughrsaid openings in the proof sheet, andadjusting the position of plates and the like on said second form inaccordance with the position of the printed proof on said proof sheet.

4. The method defined in claim 3, wherein said proof sheet is renderedtransparent to facilitate matching printed matter thereon with platesand the like on the second form.

5. The method of registering plates on a plurality of forms, eachcomprising a chase and base plate lower than type height, wherein theplates on said plurality of forms are to be printed successively on thesam'e stock as in color printing, which comprises ilrst securing theplates onA one form in positions which they will occupy during printing,supporting a plurality of register pins on said form in predeterminedpositions, inking said form, placing a sheet of paper printl stock oversaid form with the pins projecting through apertures therein, whereby tohold said paper in xed position, taking an impression on said papersheet, treating said sheet to render it transparent, inserting registerpins in a second form at positions identical with the positions occupiedby the pins in the firstmentioned form; 'supporting the said paper oversaid second form with the register pins extending through the aperturesin said paper, whereby the paper occupies the identical position on thesecond form which it occupied on the iirst-mentioned form, and adjustingthe position of plates on the second form, utilizing the proof on thetransparentized sheet of paper as a guide.

6. The method of registering plates on a plurality of forms, eachcomprising a chase and base plate lower than type height, wherein theplates on said plurality of forms are to be printed successively on thesame stock as in color printing, which comprises first securing theplates on one form in positions which they will occupy during printing,supporting a plurality of register pins on said form in predeterminedpositions, inking said form, placing a sheet of paper print stock oversaid form with the pins pro- Jeoting through apertures therein, wherebyto hold said paper in iixecl position, taking an impression on saidpaper sheet, treating said sheet to render it transparent, insertingregister pins in a second form at positions identical with the positionsoccupied by the pins in the irstmentioned form, supporting the saidpaper over said second form with the register pins extending through theapertures in said paper, whereby the paper occupies the identicalposition on the second form which-it occupied on the ilrst-mentionedform, adjusting the position of plates on the second form, utilizing theproof on the transparentized sheet of paper as a guide, and printing ona fresh sheet of paper with the two forms to form a proof, supportingthe sheet of paper by means of the registering pins while supporting theregistering pins so lthat they do not permanently project above thetype-high surface of the plates.

KENNETH G. MCKIERNAN.

